deezonee

Josh Acheampong is a winner of this pre-season for me - very impressed with him.

Enzo could be the one dropping. Both of the FBs could invert into midfield 3 with Caicedo/Lavia in the pivot - giving us good passing options and our best CBs could stay in their preferred wider positions.

Another option would be a great ball-playing GK, but is playing Jorgensen worth it?

If we decide to not buy a Colwill replacement and Veiga is sold, we will have like no available players in that crucial CCB position.

I don't think we can challenge for much with Badiashile/Tosin there. So what if we decide to drop a midfielder into a back 3 instead to dictate play for some games?

Overall we look very lively and I'm excited for MarescaBall Phase 2. No additional injuries is great aswell.

Finally, I just want to say - Erik Ten Hag is actually such a dreadful manager. Why the hell is anybody still hiring him at this level is beyond me.

END THREAD, thanks.

Aaron Anselmino - clearly shaky/rusty, needs a loan where he plays regularly again ASAP.

Genesis Antwi - looks cut above other academy guys, one for the future.

The one issue is that he's not a real ST - more like an elite false nine. He rarely stretches defenders or acts as a box striker which might see us start both him and Delap at some point.

7. Joao Pedro

He is everywhere on the pitch when we're in possession. It's so nice to have a CF with great off the ball movement who constantly looks to want to involve himself in the play and when he does - it usually results in a shot or a key pass.

6. Tyrique George

Possibly his last game here. I don't view Ty as a generational talent, but I really wish he would agree to a loan as you can clearly see his ability on and off the ball.

With guys like Quenda/Estevao/Gittens on the wings and Pedro/Simons inside there is just no space for him.

5. Jamie Gittens

Joe Shields might've done it again I'm afraid. Everytime the ball came to him, something happened - such a direct winger. His pace is electric, the way he manipulates the ball with little touches to put it in the perfect position is ridiculous - can't wait to watch him in the PL.

Still will have to adjust physically to the PL, but I'm not as worried anymore - I feel quite confident, he will displace guys like Neto sooner than later.

4. Estevao

1v1 ability, dribbling, link-up, passing on this level at 18 years old is incredible on its own, but understanding the rotations/movement in your first game playing on the RW, LW, RHS and LHS and being comfortable in all of them... yeah, we got a real talent on our hands.

3. Dario Essugo

Adds a lot of physicality in the midfield, solid both at covering the ground and in the air.

The clear issue is his ability on the ball, he struggles quite a lot when tasked with progressing the ball under pressure or in tight spaces especially.

2. Josh Acheampong

Ball carrying + passing is very good (76/76 accurate passes), I like how he uses his long legs in tackling and intercepting.

Still struggles physically in 1v1 situations or lacks the experience in positioning at times, but with enough time he can be a special player for us.

My one issue is his movement off the ball in the final third as it looks much worse compared to Cucu. It seems as he just runs into the box whenever we progress the ball with no real timing or mixing things up - I'm not convinced with him in that LHS inverted role for now.

1. Jorrel Hato

Looks very comfortable defending out wide, 1v1 defending looks good and aerial ability is there - will do well as a LCB in a back 3 in possession, no doubt.

Thread on the first impressions of our new signings and couple others ⬇️⬇️⬇️

(I hate the character limit on this app with passion)

#cfc

*Antwi is a really good player.

It seems we're still getting Garnacho and if its around 30m im okay with it, I guess.

Hopefully we don't panic buy someone like Guehi though, I would rather stick with ones we already have unless its someone with top potential or top quality.

If we buy a CB (we desperately need) instead of Garnacho I will build Colwill a statue myself

He is a good player - technical, dangerous in transitions, runner, link-up, etc.

I think he fits you, but his ball striking and finishing is his biggest flaw which is not ideal for a striker lol

Sad, but expected.

Still sure he will explode at some point, fly high son 🕊🕊

Jhon Arias is going to cook next season. Some PL fullbacks will have nightmares about him.

alright man lol

I don't think George was anywhere close to a starting LW position for us though and Gittens will be. I think the conversation should be more focused on Garnacho vs George as potential depth, no?

You think George has higher potential than Gittens?

If Everton actually sign Thierno Barry, Aznou and Malick Fofana...

Its all down to the manager, but if he can make it work, they will COOK next season.

What this system brings:

- hybrid OOP shape thing to keep some familiarity after playing back 5 for so long + no LBs like at all
- Zalewski and Kaminski both start
- Cash gets freedom to go forward
- Zalewski (our best attacker) with less defensive responsibilities
- no passengers like Piotrowski

I'm aware no one cares about it, but just wanted to put my ideas here so I can find them later.

My ideal Poland NT system under Jan Urban.

Biggest issues are no good natural LB/left-footed RW, no good enough RCB (Piatkowski is far from ideal), lack of creators in the front 5 (barring Zielinski).

I think the transfer policy is working quite well. Not every signing will bring in profit - this isnt fifa. Since 2022 they built a good squad, lowered the wage bill and we're starting to look serious again with a good coach and couple key quality players (Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer).

You're welcome!